Tea Cups and Memories

Being a Certified Tea Sommelier (GBC), I am often asked if I would like to have someone’s heirloom tea cups.  I am both honoured and thrilled that someone would endear me their loved one’s precious items.  I recently had the pleasure of connecting with a former Girl Guides of Canada “Brown Owl” and was gifted two very special and rare Aynsley Girl Guide tea cups.

I still remember my first “Brownie” meeting with the Girl Guides of Canada.  I was seven years old and my mother thought I should get involved so she began the process of enrolling.  Being a Brownie also meant I needed the brown uniform so she took me to the local shop to purchase a “used” uniform, new scarf and sash.  I was all set to start “earning” badges to put on my new sash.  Nervous excitement ensued for a couple of weeks and before I knew, I was being dropped off at the local community “Memorial Hall” to join several other young girls who also shared my eagerness.  Much to my surprise my future best friend to this day, Dennine (a fifty-year friendship!) was also standing there equally nervous.   We huddled together, whispering about the unknown of what was to come. 

We were quickly introduced to our “Brown Owl”, the leader of the group, and told to assemble in a circle and pay attention to the evening activities.   What continued after that, including my time as a Girl Guide was the moment that started as a simple curiosity and quickly became a defining part of who I am. 
For over a century, Girl Guides of Canada has been helping girls explore their potential, develop confidence, and make a difference in their communities.  It’s more than just earning badges, and similar to the unspoken benefits of the Tea Guild, it’s about learning, leadership, teamwork and self-discovery. 
Founded in 1910, Girl Guides of Canada is part of the global Guiding movement that began in the UK.  Its mission is to empower “every girl to challenge herself, find her voice, and be everything she wants to be.”  Today, Girl Guides of Canada welcomes members from Sparks (ages 5 and 6), Embers (ages 7 and 8), Guides (ages 9 to 12), Pathfinders (ages 12 to 14) to Rangers (ages 15-17), and even adult volunteers known as “Guiders.” 

The Brownie Motto is “Lend a Hand” (helping others/volunteer) and the Guide Motto is “Be Prepared” (both mentally and physically, ex. be disciplined, obedient and think about how to handle potential situations).  If you think of the meaning behind both of these mottos you can quickly understand how important this experience was to me and my future and the similarities to our Tea Guild mission.  Being a Girl Guide taught me that leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room, it’s about lifting others up, helping others and volunteering, especially in our community of like-minded tea lovers.   As a Tea Guild Board member, we invite anyone to join us, volunteer, become a member and enjoy the comradery and the feeling you get from being a part of our amazing group. 

I can’t think of a better foundational upbringing than the values I learned during my time with the Girl Guides.  It’s these same values of inclusivity, diversity, helping others, volunteering, educating and belonging that bring us together as a Tea Guild with our shared interest in tea.  I have shared many cups of tea with friends, family and strangers since my early days as a Brownie and Girl Guide.  It’s over these shared cups that we bond and support each other in the same way we do as members of the Tea Guild of Canada.   
I hope one day we can share a cuppa together using my new gifted tea cups.  Pinkies Up!
P.S. Remember that Brownie sash I mentioned that I was excited to fill with badges?  How fitting that one of the first badges I earned was my “tea hostess” badge.
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Tracey Carr Snyder
Certified Tea Sommelier (GBC)
Tea Guild of Canada Board Member

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